Live broadcast to start at 7pm and available for repeat viewing.

No apologies had been received.

The Minutes of the last meeting held on 15^th November 2022 were agreed as a true record.

Members were updated regarding the closure of the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 Statement of Accounts.  Members had received notification that the 2020/2021 Statement of Accounts had been completed under delegated authority of the Section 151 Officer in December 2022.

Regarding 2021/22 Statements, the Council envisage a start date for July 2023.

This report was intended to inform the Audit and Scrutiny Committee of progress made against the 2022/23 internal audit plan.

The following report had been finalised since the last Committee:

·       Democratic Services audit (Moderate/Moderate).

Ms Combrinck was present at the meeting and summarised the report.

Members raised concerns regarding the S106 Internal Audit report and recommendations and requested a schedule of S106 monies.  Officers advised that there was monitoring processes in place which identified where the S106 monies are to be allocated from approved planning applications and assured Members that funds that had been identified by the Internal Audit report due to be spent before March 2023 had been allocated.  The Chair agreed that an S106 update report would be provided to the next A&S Committee meeting on the 7^th March 2023.

Following a full discussion, Members noted the report.

This report submitted the report and recommendations of the Formal Complaints and Performance Indicators Working Group for consideration by the Audit & Scrutiny Committee.

Concerns were raised regarding the fall in recycling figures.  Officers explained this could be due to the fact that following the pandemic and the return to work of residents, less recycling was being processed from homes.  It would take at least 6 months to review the trend going forward and obtain accurate recycling figures. However, the Council would be monitoring this.

Following discussion Cllr Heard MOVED and Cllr Hirst SECONDED the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that Members:

Note the Formal Complaints and Performance Indicators Working Group report, as attached at Appendix A, and agree the recommendations contained within it.

Reasons for Recommendation

To ensure the Council provides quality customer services.

The Constitution requires that the Audit & Scrutiny Committee agrees its Scrutiny work programme at each meeting of the Committee. This report provided an update of the current scrutiny work programme as set out in Appendix A.

Mr Summers advised that there were two items within the Work Programme which were due to be reported to March committee.  These were Council Motions and Member Representation on Outside Organisations.

Cllr Heard MOVED and Cllr Hirst SECONDED the recommendations in the report. A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

That the Committee considers and agrees the 2022/23 Scrutiny work programme as set out in Appendix A with any additions agreed by the committee at the meeting.

Reasons for Recommendation

The Constitution requires that the Audit & Scrutiny Committee agrees its Scrutiny work programme at each meeting of the Committee. 

An item of business may only be considered where the Chair is of the opinion that, by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified in the Minutes, the item should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items. 

                                        The meeting concluded at 19.35.